Events

Annual Events: Throughout the academic year, the LGBTQ Center hosts a series of events addressing numerous topics that face the LGBTQ community. Past events have included films, nationally-recognized speakers, social events, art exhibits, and discussion groups. Programs and events are selected each year by the LGBTQ Center Operating Board.

Pride Week: Held in the Spring, this week is a celebration of the UVA LGBTQ community. It features speakers, performers, social events, films, discussions, and is started off with the Queer Student Union’s Drag Bingo. Sponsored by the LGBTQ Center, Queer Student Union, Queer and Allied Activism, Sigma Omicron Rho, Open Athletes, and Greek Allies.

Love is Love: T-Shirt Campaign started in 2009 as a celebration of love that is meant to create greater social awareness at the University of Virginia and beyond. The power of its message is found in its simplicity. It is a message that can span all communities: regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and religion, all relationships are equal. Love is Love. The red t-shirts are distributed and worn on Valentine’s Day, a holiday that celebrates love—but sometimes people in LGBTQ relationships can feel left out. Greeting cards for their partners are hard to come by, or florists don’t understand why a man would send another man roses. This is our way of reminding people that love comes in many different forms and is experienced differently by everybody.

LGBTQ on the Lawn: Let’s Get Brunch Together in the Q-munity is a weekly gathering that brings together students and staff for a catered brunch and a chance to get to know one another, while enjoying the atmosphere of the historic Lawn.

Queer Film Series: Held each Spring, this series of film screenings help showcase a diverse set of LGBTQ issues and narratives. The April 2015 line-up includes Out In The Night, Pariah, and Bent.

Lavender Graduation: The Lavender Graduation ceremony is to honor graduating undergraduate and graduate students who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, and Ally in the university community. This annual event is a celebration that recognizes LGBTQ students of all races, ethnicities, classes, abilities, and religions to acknowledge their achievements and contributions to the University community. Lavender Graduation is typically held the Friday of Commencement weekend each Spring. To participate, please contact Scott Rheinheimer.

LGBTQ & Allies Reception: Held each Fall, this annual reception seeks to honor allies in the UVA community for their support, dedication, and commitment to furthering the rights of LGBTQ individuals as a part of Pride Week.

Garden Party: Held each Spring in the Pavilion gardens, the LGBTQ Center Garden Party celebrates the year’s achievements in the LGBTQ community, recognizing student leaders, volunteers, and graduating students.